Craftsman 917.271840 - Manual (Page 31)

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Loss of power Cutting too much grass/too
fast.
Throttle in “CHOKE"
position.
Build-up of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
Dirty air filter.
Low oil level/dirty oil.
Faulty spark plug.
7. Dirty fuel filter.
8. Stale or dirty fuel.
9. Water in fuel.
10. Spark plug wire loose.
11. Dirty engine air screen/fins.
12. Dirty/clogged muffler.
13. Loose or damaged wiring.
14. Carburetor out of
adjustment.
15. Engine valves out of
adjustment.
1. Set in “Higher Cut” position/
reduce speed.
2. Adjust throttle control.
3. Clean underside of mower
housing.
4. Clean/replace air filter.
5. Check oil level/change oil.
6. Clean and regap or change
spark plug.
7. Replace fuel filter.
8. Drain fuel tank and refill with
fresh gasoline.
9. Drain fuel tank and carbure­
tor, refill tank with fresh
gasoline and replace fuel
filter.
10. Connect and tighten spark
plug wire.
11. Clean engine air screen/fins.
12. Clean/replace muffler.
13. Check all wiring.
14. See “To Adjust Carburetor"
in Service Adjustments
section.
15. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
Excessive
vibration
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Bent blade mandrel.
3. Loose/damaged part(s).
1. Replace blade.
Tighten blade bolt.
2. Replace blade mandrel.
3. Tighten loose part(s).
Replace damaged parts.
Engine continues
to run
when operator
leaves seat with
with attachment
clutch engaged
1. Faulty operator-safety
presence control system.
1. Check wiring, switches and
connections. If not
contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
Poor cut-uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Mower deck not level.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves,
and trash under mower.
4. Bent blade mandrel.
5. Clogged mower deck vent
holes from buildup of
grass, leaves, and trash
around mandrels.
1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Level mower deck.
3. Clean underside of mower
housing.
4. Replace blade mandrel.
5. Clean around mandrels to
open vent holes.